Electric display apparatus.



A. C. HEINY.

ELECTRIC DISPLAY APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3l, I908. REI'IEWEDJUIII 2, |916.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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RENEWED JUNE 2. 1916.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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ELECTRIC DISPLAY APPARATUS. APPLlcATloN FILED MARJSI. 1908. RENEwED JUNE2. |916.

1,220, 1 1 OJ Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I/I//TN /fV//E/VTO/e Q7 w@ d, A4@ nsw/ BY v A. C. HEINY.

ELECTRIC DISPLAY APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR. a1. 1908. RENEwEDJUNE 2.1916.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

V'ENTO/e WITNESS ANATOLE C. HEINY, OF NEW YORK, 1\T. Y.

i ELECTRIC DISPLAY APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mai. 2e, reir.

Application led March 31, 1908, Serial No. 424,455. lRenewed .Tune 2,1916. Serial No. 101,384.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ANATOLE C. HEINY, a citizen of the United States,and resident of New York city, county and State of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Electric Display Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrically illuminated sign or displayapparatus in which characters such as figures or letters are produced bythe illumination of properly grouped lamps and are changed at will; thelamps by means of which the characters are formed being arranged inseparate groups or sets, commonly spoken of as monograms or panels.

The invention has for its object to im.

prove the operating mechanism by means of which the changes in the lampsof a single group, to successively produce dierent characters, areeiected; and whereby the successive changes in different groups ofapparatus to display changes of the characters at the differentmonograms are also effected, the devices or mechanism employed beingelectrically operated throughout.

The invention is especially well adapted for use in connection Witdisplay apparatus employed to indicate time, a change, in the charactersdisplayed being made once every minute. The invention is not, however,limited to this particular use, but is adapted to display theregistering of a meter, or for other purposes where illuminatedelectrical display apparatus is now cm iloyed.

n the accompanying drawings in which the invention is illustrated,Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle and method-of operationof the invention used to control the illumination of three groups of sixlamps each.

Fig. 2 is a diagram on a larger scale than Fig. l illustrating thecircuits of but a single group of lamps and apparatus, some of the partsbeing in diierent positions from those represented in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View through a casing in which arearranged the illuminating apparatus and controlling devices embodying myinvention.

Fig. 4 is a front view of one of the Vmovable bars carrying a set ofcontacts, such as may be employed in a system like that illustrated inFig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a stationary contact-carrying bar inassociation with which the bar represented in Fig. L may be used.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the lower ends ofseveral of the movablecontact-carrying bars and means coperating there-` with for controllingtheir movements.

F ig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 6.

F ig. 8 is a detail perspective view of part of the latch-releasingmechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken on' the line lX-X of Fig. 6.

i* have in the drawings, in some instances, designated correspondingparts which are duplicated, by means of the same reference characters,but have distinguished one from the other by the use of exponentsapplied to such characters; and I shall in this description whenreferring indiscriminately to any one of a series of similar partshaving a similar designation, but with different eX- ponents, disregardthe exponents, employing them only when it is desired to directattention to aparticular one of such similar parts. p

l'n the diagram, Fig. l, l have represented the operating mechanism Jforcontrolling the illumination of the lamps at the dii'erent monograms asarranged in three groups,

designated i, H and Hl, respectively. The' rst group, I, correspondswith the selecting and operating mechanism controlling the display atthe minutes monogram 0f a time indicating apparatus; the second group,Il, the devices employed for controlling the display at the ten minutesmonogram; and the third group, HI, those controlling the hours display.

Before describing in detail the invention and `the manner in which it isembodied, I will first in a general Way state what takes place when theapparatus is in operation, supposing that several panels or monograms oflamps are employed to indicate, by their illumination, the time of day.The groups of lamps, and the groups of operating devices that severallycontrol their illumination, are connected in multiple with a mainelectric circuit. master control device, such as a clock, is located ina circuit which it opens and closes intermittently, the closinpreferably being forrelatively short perio s of time. ln this circuit issituated vice closes its own circuit.y

' electro-magnet in the group of devices controlling the first monogramis energized and operates through appropriate devices to close circuitsthrough a certain group of lamps which become lighted and display acharacter. The moment the said branch circuit is again broken throughthe operation of the master control device the lamps are extinguished,and the said solenoid or other electro-responsive device employed in theunits or minutes groups last to be energized becomes magnetically inertand the circuits it operatedto close are opened. At the same instantthat these last referred to operations take place the parts controlledby the last said solenoid or electro-magnet operate to establish newcircuit relations of such a nature that the moment the branch circuit isagain closed the electro-magnet or solenoid in the series or group nextin advance of that last energized, will be brought into the circuit andexcited, and it in turn will operate to cause the illumination of adifferent group of lamps. Thus the electrical controlling devicessuccessively operate first to establish and then to break the lampcircuits; and each as it breaks its own set or group of lamp circuitssets certain electrical connections or current switching devices so thatthe controlling device next in series to' be .operated is put inconnectlon with thev main line.

Whenever a predetermined cycle of changes in one group-the units orminutes group for instance-.has been completed, there is simultaneouslywith the changes there taking place to begin anew, the cycle, a changeeifected in the circuits for controlling devices for the next groupoflampsthe tens or ten minutes group--corresponding with the change thatis made in the first group whenever the master control device closes itsown circuit, such changes in the second group being controlled by thedevices of the first. Thus, at each cycle'iof changes in a lirst groupthere is one change in the second, and at each cycle of changes in thesecond, a single change in the third group, and so on.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, 2 re resents a battery or other.source of electrlcity. It is connected on one side with the several setsof lamps, and with the controlling devices therefor, by wire 3, whichmay for convenience be termed the positive line, and on the other sideby wire 4, termed the negative line.

5 represents the main cutout for the apparatus, and 5', 5', the switchesor cutouts for the lamps of the individual panels. vAt some convenientplace in the main line is located the master control device 6, which maybe a clock. One of the shafts, as that carrying the second hand, carriesa contact 7 connected with the line* 4 by conductor 10. A stationarycontact 8 is situated in position to be engaged by the revolving contact7 and is connected with the positive line by conductor 9. In thisconnection, 9, is located a solenoid 11 the core of which carries acrosspiece 13 adapted to bridge the two contacts or terminal pieces 12,to which parts of the positive line Bare united. A spring 14 holds thebridge-piece in engagement with the contacts 12 whenever the solenoid isin open circuit.

Each group or set of devices for controlling the illumination of thelamps at one panel or monogram'is represented as comprising foursolenoids, 21, 21', 212, 213 and associated circuit making and breakingparts controlled thereby and arranged to cause the display in successionof four different groups of lamps. These groups of solenoids areconnected with the leads 3', 32 and 33 of the positive line 3 by branchconductors 20. Each solenoid has its core 22 connected with the bar 23that carries the movable contacts of the circuit closers controlling thedifferent circuits. Each bar is in metallic connection with the negativeline 4 through the frame piece or other suitable connection through theconductingbar or strip 18, and serves as a conductor for the currentgoing out over the different contacts which the bar carries.

24, 24 designate the stationary terminals of the wires 25 leadingfromthe lamps 26. With these terminals engage the contacts 27, carried bythe bar 23 and in metallic connection therewith, Whenever that bar ismoved by the attractive force of the solenoid. A

wire 30 leads from the solenoid 21 and is cennected with the stationarycontact28 with which engages, whenever the core 22 is attracted and thebar moved, acontact 29 carried by the latter. Since one end of the coil21 is connected with the positive line, and the bar-23 is connected withthe negative line, a closed circuit, through the solenoid, isestablished whenever the contacts 28, 29 are in engagement, and ismaintained until the main line circuit is broken.

31 designates a contact brush carried by the bar 23 and arranged, as ittravels with the bar, to pass over a stationary conducting strip 32mounted on an insulated support 33. When the bar is in its normalinactive position, the brush 31^lies to one side of, but

Laaosiio not in contact with, the strip 32; and when the Abar is in itsactive position, that is ,when moved by the attractive force of thesolenoid, it lies'on the other side of the strip 32, but still not inengagement therewith. But when the bar occupies a middle position, as

it does for a short space of time just after4 its solenoid becomesdenergized, as will be presently described, the contacts 3l and 32 liein engagement, and a circuit is closed including the solenoid 21 next inadvance of the one last excited and just denergized. This circuit istraced as follows, see Fig. 2: From the positive side of the battery 2over the conductors 3, 3 and 20 to the solenoid 213, which is next inadvance of the one that has been just denergized, and which in Figs. land 2 is designated 212; thence by the conductor 38 to a stationarycontact 36 that is situated adjacent to one of the bars 23 that is backof the one occupying the said mid-position, preferably the one 21, nextimmediately back thereof; thence by a bridge 37 carried by the last saidbar but insulated therefrom, to a stationary contact 35, to the wire orconductor 34, the strip 32, the brush 3l in Contact therewith, the bar232 carrying said brush and now occupying a mid-position, and theconductors 18 and i back to the battery or other source of current. l

ln order to maintain thebars 23 in the mid-positions referred to, thefollowing described mechanism may be employed. 3Q

designates a spring latch adapted to engage with a shoulder 40 on a bar23. These parts are so related that the bar may freely move relative tothe latch piece whenever the core 22 is attracted, but Whenthe latter isreleased and the bar moves away from the solenoid the latch catches andholds it before it has reached its inactive position, although not untilit has moved far enough to separate all the contacts controlled by itexcept the ones 3l and 32, which as has been described, are brought intoengagement when the bar is held in this osition. 41, 41 are strikerscarried by the ars 23 and arranged to trip the latches 39. -Each strikercontrols the latch of the bar next back of the one by which it iscarried, and operates to release that bar whenever its own bar is raisedor moved into active position, indicating that a circuit has been'completed through its own solenoid and that its contacts, including theones 28, and 29, are closed. As the last bar of a group, 233, stands, inthe cycle of operations of the devices comprised in that group, next inrear of the first har, provision must be made for tripping the latchofthe bar 233 from the .movement of the bar 23.- In the diagram nowbeing described there is a conventional showing of means for efectingthis result. The striker for the latch of the bar 233 is designated 41;,and is. operated from the bar 23v through a train of operative connec-ltions 42.

rThe mechanism thus far described is all that is 'required to operate,according to my present invention, a single group of lamps. But where aplurality of such groups are used a change must be edected in the groupll whenever there has been a complete cycle of changes in the group l,and a similar change made as between groups H andlll, and so on.rlherefore it becomes necessary to provide each group of selecting andoperating devices with certain. other circuit controlling means whichare arranged to periodically control the operations of the devices inthe group next in advance. Let it be supposed that the apparatus isemployed to show illuminated figures, and that the first group ofcontrol devices to the left governs the illumination of the lampsshowing the minutes iigures, the second group,

the group showing the tens minutes figures and the third group thehours. It follows that Whenever a 0 is displayed at the minutes panel ormonogram (indicating that the solenoid corresponding with 2l3 of Fig. lhas been energized) there must be a change at group ll. This change iseffected through the following described means, see

Pgs. land 2. ll is a solenoid interposed between the lfirst andsecondgroups of controlling devices. lt is similar to the solenoid l1,already described, being on one side connected directly with the mainpositive line 3, and on the other side connected with the negative linethrough connections in the group l, to be pointed out. The movements ofthe core of this solenoid, l1 control the opening and closing of thebranch line leading to thek group of devices, ll. The connections of thecoil with the negative' line, instead of being, asin the case of thesolenoid ll, througha clock or other master control device, 6, is asfollows: rThe negative line or conductor from the coil of solenoid, l1',is designated 43, and leads to a stationary contact 44 situated adjacentto the har of the solenoid 2l', group l, that is the second solenoidback of the last one of the series, which last one, as stated, controlsthe display of the character 0. This bar 23 carries an Iinsulated bridge45, adapted when the bar is in normal inactive position to unite thecontact 44: with another contact 4:6 connected by aconductor 47 with astationary contact 32 near the bar 232, that is, the next to the lastbar of the group.

icol

With this last contact there engages, When- `with the bar.

New let it be supposed that the bar 232 which carries the lamp contactsthat cause the display of the character 9 at the units monogram has justbeen released from the influence of its solenoid and has moved to itsmid-position where it is held by the catch piece 39 as represented inFig. 2. This will cause a separation of all of the contacts of that bar,except those at 31, 32 and 3l and 82', which will be closed. No currentwill however' pass to the group of devices I so long as the circuitcontrolled by the clock is kept closed and the main circuit therebymaintained open.

At the same time, that is, at the moment the bar 232 is arrested in itsmid-position, there is established a circuit through the coil of thesolenoid 11 that controls the branch of the main circuit leading togroup II, which solenoid on being energized breaks the said circuit andcauses all the lamps of. such group to be extinguished. This circuitwill be from the battery by the positive line 3 to the solenoid l1 ofthe circuit breaker between groups I-and II, through the coil thereof,and," by wire 43, to the contact 44 at bar 23, thence by bridge 45 tothe contact 46, line 47, contacts 32', 3l', bar 232 and strip 18 to thenegative line 4, and so back to battery. This, as stated, causes thesolenoid 11 to be energized, which in turn breaks the circuit in thebranch of the main line'leading to group II, whereupon, all of thesolenoids thereof being out of circuit, the bars 23 will be released andwill assume positions separating all of the lamp contacts. But the barof the solenoid last energized in group II will be arrested in anintermediate position, establishing such circuit relations that as soonas the solenoid 11 is denergized and the devices of group II againconnected in circuit with the battery, the solenoid next in advance willbe put in circuit and becomeoperative. As soon as the circuit includingthe branch leading to group I is closed at 12-13, by the separation ofthe contacts 7 and 8 of the master control device and the denergizing ofthe solenoid 11, current passes by the following circuit, viz.; by thepositive line 3 and leads 3, 20, to the coil of the solenoid 213, thenceby the conductor 38 to the contact 36, then by the bridge 37 carried bythe bar 23 to the contact 35, over the conductor 34, contacts 32 and 31and bar 232 to the negative line 4 and so back to battery. This willcause the solenoid 213 tobe energized and the character 0 will bedisplayed at the units monogram. The attraction of the bar 233 operatesthe latch 39 and releases bar 232 which assumes normal position,breaking the contacts 31, 32, 31', 32', whereupon the circuit of thesolenoidll is broken, at 31', 32, which causes the circuit connectionswith devices of group II to be restablished.

When next to the last bar 23 of group II Vices with current.

is operated, causing the display of the character 5 at the secondmonogram in an apparatus for indicating time, or the character 9 in anordinary decimal counting apparatus, the operations just described withreference to group I will take place in the second group, causing asingle operation of the circuit breaker between groups II and III, withthe result that there will be a single change at the third monogramshowing hours or hundredths, as the case may be. As

the circuits through the operating mechanism of group III are maintainedfor relatively long periods of time, it is found advantageous to cutinto the circuits, after being established, a resistance to preventdisastrous heating of the coils. I therefore interpose in the line, aresistance 48, which however is cut out until after one of the solenoids21 has been energized and by the attraction of its switch bar 23established the desired connections. 49 indicates a coil connected bywire or other conductor 50 with stationary contacts 51 located adjacentto the several movable bars 23 and with which there engage contacts 52carried by the bars, as the latter are moved under the influence of thesolenoids 21. The other end of the coil 49 is connected by conductor 53with the resistance 48. A movable core 54, actuated by the solenoid 49is suitably connected with the lead wire 33 that supplies the thirdgroup of actuating and controlling de- Vhenever the current is cut offfrom the devices of the third group, by the circuit breaker situatedbetween groups II and III or otherwise, the solenoid 49 of coursereceives no current and its core accordingly falls away and intoengagement with a stop 55 to which the positive line 3 is connected,thus making a direct connection from such line to the lead 33 and by itwith the group of devices, III, and at the same time cutting out orshunting the resistance 48. As soon therefore as the circuit of thisgroup is restablished a powerful current is sent through such solenoid21 as may be connected with the line to receive it, attracting the core22 and causing a rapid movement of it and the bar 23 to close thecircuits controlled by the latter, including that of the coil 49. Thisbecoming excited, attracts its core 54 breaking the direct connectionfrom the positive line to the branch 33, and sending the current fromthe positive line to the branch through the resistance 48, which willreduce it to such an extent that, while the bar 23 will be held inposition to maintain its contacts, the amount of current passing'through the solenoid will not be suiiicient to disastrously heat thelatter.

56, 56 are circuit closers connected respectively on one side with thenegative line 4, and on the other side, through conductors 57 with thenegative terminals of the coils o the first solenoids 21 of each group.These circuit closers are employed in starting the apparatus and operateto close circuits through the said first solenoids whenever they areoperated. Supposing all of the parts in each group to be in normalinactive position, the operation of the several circuit closers 5G willclose a circuit in each group as follows: From the battery by thepositive line 3 and branch 20 through the solenoid 21, thence outthrough the conductors 30 and 57, through the circuit closer 56 and bythe negative line 4f back to the battery. The irst bars, 23, of eachgroup will then be actuated and the characters 1.11 will appear at themonograms. If this should correctly indicate the hour nothing furtherneed be done except to allow the master clock to control the operationsof the several groups of devices, as has been described. But suppose thetime of starting were 1.32 instead of 1.11. A simple subtraction willshow that a change indicating twenty-one minutes in advance must bemade, that is to say, a single change must be made at the first group ofcontrol'- ling devices and two changes at the second group, none beingrequired at the third or hours group. To effect these changes and thuspermit the starting of the display mechanism to correspond with thetime, the following means are employed: 58, '53 are circuit closers, onefor each group of operating devices, situated in connections between thenegative line or lead for each group and the wires 9 connected with thenegative terminals of the solenoids 11. These circuit closers areindependent one of the other so that the manipulation of anyone causes achange only in the group with which.l it is associated.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. l that the several groups of lampsare connected in multiple with the source of electricity, the

breaking devices controlled directly by the master clock or othercontrol device, so that.

the opening of the circuit controlled directly thereby causes all of thelamps to be extinguished. One lamp, 60, representing a period andlocated between the characters designating hours and those designatingminutes. is so connected that it always remains illuminated except whenthe main circuit is broken as last described.

1 will now describe the operation of the apparatus. The first acts to'bcperformed are to connect the several panels with the supply circuit,which is done by closing the circuit closers 5', and to connect theentire system with the source of supply through the circuit closer 5.The circuit closers 56 may then be operated to start the apparatus ofeach panel, and the circuit closers 58 operated to adjust the parts topositions from which the apparatus may be allowed to work automatically,as has been described. The clock or other master control device is thenset into operation. 1t will .be supposed that the apparatus beingdescribed is constructed and arranged to indicate time and that at eachof the three panels, diagrammatically represented in Fig. 1,the firstelectro-magnet 21 has been energized, and the first bar, 23, of eachgroup of operating devices has been thereby lifted or moved. Thecircuits as now established may be traced as follows: First, thatthrough the electromagnet or solenoid '21, is from the source of currentsupply along the conduc-tors 3 and 2() to the coil of the solenoid orother electroresponsive device, thence by the wire or conductor 30 tothe stationary contact 28, with which the movable contact 29 nowyengages, this connection having been made 'when the bar 23 was moved,thence over the said bar 23 and the conductors 18 and 4 back to thesource of supply. Second, the circuit through the lamps Whose lightingis controlled by the bar 23, is from the source of `current supply overthe conductors 3, 3" to the conductors 18 and 1 back to the source ofcurrent.

It will be seen that, in the arrangement of contacts illustrated inFigs. 1 and 2, the bar 23 controls the illumination of the uppermostlamp in the left hand row and the tWo end lamps in the right hand row.

These lamps remain lighted until the contacts 7 and 8 at the mastercontrol device come into engagement, whereupon a new circuit isestablished through the solenoid 11, which may be traced as follows:From the Source of current supply along the conductor 3 to the coil ofthe solenoid, thence by the wire 9 to the contacts 8, 7 of the mastercontrol device, and thence by the conductors 10 and-t back to the sourceof supply. The solenoid being energized attracts its armature, whichbreaks the circuits including the solenoid 21, and the lamps 26, at thepoints 12, 12. Thereuponthe armature of the solenoid 21 falls awaytherefrom, the bar 23 moves and the circuits of the lamps which itcontrols are opened.` The bar 23 is arrested in its movements by thelatch or dog 39 and held in such position that the contacts 31, 32 arein engagement, where.- upon there is established a new circuit,including the solenoid next in advance of 21.,

`and designated 21,-this circuit being traced bar 233 in the arrangementshown, with which contact, the bar 233 being in normal or inactiveposition, engages the bridge piece 37 carried by the said bar, and fromwhich point the circuit includes the said bridge piece, the othe'rstationary contact 35, the conductor 34, leading to the stationarycontact 32 at bar 23, the movable contact 31 carried by the'said bar,which is now, as stated in mid-position, the bar 23 and conductors 18and 4 to the source of supply. This last circuit is maintained onlymomentarily, or until the latch 39 holding the bar 23 in itsmid-position is tripped by the movement of the bar 23 whereupon the bar23, being now released, moves suiliciently far to break the circuit atthe contacts 31 and 32. The conditions are now similar to thosedescribed in tracing the circuit through the solenoid 21, except thatthe solenoid 21 instead of 21 is in circuit, and the parts which itcontrols are in active position while those controlled by 21 areinactive. A different set of lamps at the monogram, that controlled'bythe bar 23 is therefore illuminated. At each closing of the circuit bythe master control device the operation of the parts described isrepeated,one solenoid or electro-responsive device and the yparts itcontrols being put out of use while the set of devices next in advanceis put in operation. Y

These operations continue until the cycle of movements at the panel arecompleted and the next panel, that controlling the display of the tensgures, for instance,- should receive an electrical impulse that willcause a change in the display at this second panel. As has been stated,the bar designated 233 in the diagrams accompanying this specificationis supposed to be one which causes the display of the figure O at themonogram, and when this is displayed there should be a simultaneouschange at the next monogram, and this change is eii'ected as follows:The bar 233 is moved upon the eiliergizing of the solenoid y213, and thecircuit through this coil is completed at the moment the bar 232 isarrested in its mid-position. This latter bar carries a Contact 31..that comes into engagement with the stationary Contact piece 32 andcontrols the circuit through the solenoid 11 of the tens group ofdevices when the bar is arrested in its mid-position, as has beendescribed. The circuit through this latter solenoid is traced asfollows: From the source of electric supply over the conductor 3 to thecoil of the solenoid 11, thence by the conductor 43 to the stationarycontact 44 at bar 23', thence by bridge piece 45 engaging therewith-tothe other stationary contact 46 with which the bridge piece engages,thence by conductor 47 to the stationary contact 32', the contact 31engaging therewith, the bar 232 carrying the latterv contact and theconductors 18 and 4 to the source of supply. The energizing of thesolenoid 11 causes a break in the circuit of the group II, similar tothe break in the circuit of the group I when the solenoid 11 isenergized. as has already been described, and this results in a changein the display at the monogram of the group II, as will be understoodwithout further detailed explanation.

In practically installing an apparatus embodying my invention the lampsand the selecting and operating mechanism may all be mounted in a singleframe, as indicated in Fig. 3, or the lamps and yoperating mechanism maybe widely separated as may be found most practicable.

In Fig. 3 the lamps 26 are represented as being supported by a .plate 61located behind the front perforated plate 62 of the panel or monogram.Each lamp is preferably surrounded by a shield and reflector 63 toimprove the illuminating effects of the apparatus. The solenoids 21 andthe stationary contacts of the apparatus are mounted upon insulating.bars or plates 64 carried by cross bars 65 suitably arranged and placedwithin the frame. pieces 39 are arranged to engage with the shoulders ornotches 40 cut in the mid ribs or webs of the bars 23. Y

These latches are preferably constructed as represented in Figs. 6 and 7and consist of a series of dogs mounted upon a rocking shaft 66extending across the bars 23 and suitably supported in the frame. Aseries of finger pieces 67 are mounted upon the said rocking shaft andextend into the paths of movement of the strikers 41 carried by the bars23. These fingersA are preferably connected with sleeves 68 mounted uponthe shaft 6 6, which sleeves at the ends opposite the fingers also carrypins or projections 69 adapted to be brought into engagement with thetail ends of the spring catches or holding dogs 39, when the sleeves arerocked. 'Ihese parts are so arranged that the spring latches or holdingdogs 39 allow the bars to freely move upward, and, when they arereleased, to move away from the solenoids far enough to separate thecontacts, except those at 31, 32; until they, by engagement with theshoulders, arrest the bars in an intermediate or mid-position. When thenext succeeding bar 23 in the series is moved under the attractive forceof its solenoid the striker carried thereby comes into engagement withThe spring actuated latch iio for the last one through or by means ofwhich the said latch is tripped when the first bar is moved, consists ofthe shaft 66 and the finger 67 andcontactpin or projection 69X. Thefinger 67', which is engaged by the projection 41 of the irst bar of theseries, is carried by the sleeve 68 which is secured fast to the shaft66 by a set screw 70. The projection 69X that acts upon the catch or dog39 for the last bar of the series is carried by a sleeve 68X which alsois secured fast to the shaft. Thus When the first bar of the series israised by the attractive force of its operating magnet or solenoid thelast bar of the series is released from its holding catch or dog throughthe trainy of devices just described.

I have herein uniformly referred to the parts designated 11, 21 and 49as solenoids, but I Wish it to be understood that the solenoid has beenrepresented and referred to merely as one style of operative`electro-responsive device.

Vhat I claim is 1. In a display apparatus, the combination of lampsarranged in a group, stationary contacts With which the lamps areconnected, circuit controlling devices arranged to respectively' closethe lamp circuits so as to cause diierent combinations of the lamps ofthe group to be illuminated, electro-responsive devices controlling thesaid circuit closing devices, a current supply circuit with which theelectro-responsive devices may` be respectively connected, meanscontrolled by the said circuit controlling :devices :tor bringing theelectro-responsive devices successively into connection with the supplycircuit, the said connecting meansof each circuit controlling devicebeing arranged to come into operation as the said device is disconnectedfrom the supply circuit, means for holding said connecting meanstemporarily in operation, and means foi-.releasing them when the nextelectro-responsive device of the series is operated.

2. In a display system, the combination of lamps arranged in a group,contacts With which the said lamps are conniected, circuit controllingdevices arranged to respectively engage with certain of the contacts toclose circuits through different combinations of lamps o`the group forilluminating them, electro-responsive devices controlling the circuitclosing devices, a current supply circuit with which theelectro-responsive devices may be respectively connected, meanscontrolled by the said circuit closing devices for bringing theelectro-responsive devices respectively into connection with the supplycircuit, the said connecting means of each circuit-controlling devicebeing arranged to come into operation as the said device is disconnectedfrom the supply and the lamps it controls thereby extinguished, meansfor holding said connecting means temporarily 1n operatlon, means forreleasing them when the next electro-responsive device of the seriesisoperated, and means for periodically breaking the supply circuitconnections of the said electro-responsive devices between each changein the illumination ofthe lamps.

3. In a display system, the combination of lamps arranged in a group,contacts Withvvhich the lamps are connected, circuit controlling devicesarranged to respectively engage With certain of the said contacts toclose circuits through different combinations of lamps of the group forilluminating them, electro-responsive devices controlling the saidcircuit controlling' devices, a current supply circuit with which thesaid electroresponsive devices and the lamps of the group may berespectively connected, means for controlling the successive action ofthe electro-responsive devices, and means for periodically breaking thesupply circuit connections of the said set of electro-responsive devicesand of the group of lamps between each change in the illumination of thelamps.

4. In a display system, the combination of lamps arranged in a group,contacts With which the lamps are connected, circuit closing devicesarranged to respectively engage With certain of the contacts to closecircuits through different combinations of lamps of the groupforilluminating them,'electrore sponsive devices each controllingacircuit closing device, a current supply circuit for theelectro-responsive devices, a pair of circuit closers operated bythecircuit controlling devices, one circuit closer of said pair controllingthe connection of the electro-responsive device that operates thatcircuit closing device with the supply circuit, and the other of thepair being arranged to operate momentarily when its ,ownelectroresponsive device becomes inactive and control the connection ofthe next electro-re-A sponsive device to operate with the supply circuitand means for opening the circuit at the last said circuit closer whenthe next electro-responsive device of the series becomes active.

5. In a display system the combination of lamps arranged in a group,contacts With which the lamps are connected, circuit controlling devicesarranged to respectively engage with certain of the contacts to closeopened, and means for opening the said circuit between the main line,and the said next electro-responsive device when it operates to closethe circuits through the set of lamps it controls.

6. In a display system, the combination of electric lamps, contacts withvwhich they are connected, circuit closing devices respectivelycontrolling the circuits of the lamps, electro-responsive devices formoving the said circuit closing devices, a current supply' 7. In adisplay system, the combinationof electric lamps, contacts with whichthe lamps are connected, circuit closing devices respectivelycontrolling the circuits of the lamps, electro-responsive means formoving the said circuit closing devices, a current4 supply circuit with'which the electro-responsive means are connected, means for holding thecircuit closing devices in intermediate positions immediately upon beingreleased from the action of the electro-responsive means, means forclosing in succession the circuit of each electro-responsive device neXtto-be operated as. each circuit closing device successively assumes itsintermediate position, and each comprising contact devices closed as theparts come to the said intermediate position, and connections fi'om thesaid contacts through circuit closing devices carried by a third circuitclosing device and which are closed when the said device occupies itsnormal inactive position, and means for releasing the circuit closingdevices from the parts that hold them in the intermediate positions asthe circuit closing devices are successively operated.

8. In a display system, the combination of electric lamps connected ingroups, a series of electro-responsive devices corresponding with theseveral groups of lamps, a series of movable bars operated by theelectro-responsive devices, means for arresting the bars in intermediatepositions as they are released from the influence of theelectro-responsive devices, Ithree sets of circuit closers carried byeach bar, one set controlling the lamp circuits and arranged t0 beclosed when the bars are attracted by the electro-responsive devices,another set arranged to be closed when the bars occupy theirintermediate positions, and athird' set arranged to be closed when thebars occupy their inactive positions, connections between each circuitcloser of the second set and circuit closer of the third set, andconnections between each of the last said circuit closers and theelectro-responsive device next to be operated in series, substantiallyas set forth.

9. In a display system, the combination of electric lamps arranged inv agroup, contacts with which the lamps are connected, a series ofelectro-responsive devices for controlling the different combinations oflamps in the group to be illuminated, movable bars operated by theelectro-responsive devices, a set of circuit closers carried by each barcontrolling lamp circuits, and other circuit closers carried by the barfor putting the electro-responsive device controlling that bar into themain circuit whenever the lamp circuits are closed, a main circuit withwhich the electro-responsive devices are connected, means lfor openingand closing the main circuit, and means for automatically bringing thesaid electroresponsive devices successively into the main line,substantially as set forth.

l0. In a display system, the combination of electric lamps arranged ingroups in eachn of which the lamps are to be illuminated in differenticombinations, groups of circuit closing devices corresponding with thegroups of lamps and controlling the successive illumination of thedifferent combinations oi lamps thereof, electro-responsive meanscontrolling the said circuit closing devices, a circuit breaker foreachgroup of circuit closing devices, by which theJ main line connectionstherewith are opened and closed, and means controlled by the circuitclosing devices of one group for controlling the operation of thecircuit breaker of the neXt group in advance whenever a complete cycleof changes in the first group has been completed.

11. In a display system, the combination of electric lamps arranged ingroups ineacli of which the lamps are to be illuminated in selected setsto form charactersthat are suc` cessively displayed, circuit closingdevices also arranged in sets corresponding with the lamp groups andrespectively controlling the circuits of the sets of lamps therein,electro-responsive means controlling said circuit closing devices, amain circuit having branches leading to each set of circuit c1osingdevices and with which the electro-responsive devices are connected, acircuit breaker for opening and closing the lmain circuit to the firstset of circuit closing devices, a master control device governing theoperations of the said circuit breaker, a second circuit breaker in thebranch of the main circuit leading to the second set of circuit closingdevices, and. means for controlling the operations of the secondcircuit' breakercontrolled by the first set of circuit closing devicesand arranged to operate said Second circuit breaker Whenever a completecycle of changes in said irst set has been effected.

12. In a display system, the combination of electric lamps arranged ingroups in each of which the lamps are to be displayed in-successivelyilluminated sets, circuit closing devices also arranged in setscorresponding with the lamp groups and controlling the circuits of thesets of thelamps therein, electro-responsive means controlling saidclosing devices, a main circuit having branches leading to each set ofcircuit closing. devices With which the electro-respons vsive devicesare connected, a circuit breaker in each branch circuit leading to eachset of circuit closing devices, saidv circuit breakers operating to openand close each its own circuit, a master control device governing theoperations of the circuit breaker of the rst set of circuit closingdevices, and `means in each set of circuit closing devices forcontrolling the operation of the circuit breaker controlling the branchcir-- cuit of the following set of circuit closing devices Whenever acomplete cycle of changes in the said set of circuit closing devicesnext preceding the last said circuit breaker has been effected,substantially as set forth.

ANATOLE C. HEINY.

